By Andrew Warshaw
April 22 – The English Football Association (FA) today sought to diffuse a row over eligibility for London 2012 by confirming that no player selected for Euro 2012 will be chosen for Team GB.
Born in 1927, Bill Slater is the only British footballer who can be mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Michel Platini and Lev Yashin. All have graced the Olympic tournament and the World cup finals, but Slater was the first and so far only Briton to do so.
By 1952, Slater (pictured below left in 1960 and right in 2007) had already appeared in the FA Cup final (as an amateur with Blackpool).
By David Gold
April 21 – Orange has agreed a partnership with Sony Mobile Communications to run competitions for the European Championships, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine this summer.
By David Gold
April 21 – Supporters travelling to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup without tickets will still be able to watch matches courtesy of a giant screen on iconic Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, following confirmation of the 12 Fan Fest venues.
By David Gold
April 20 – The announcement of the host cities for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, which was expected today, has been delayed for a second time, the South African Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – The FIFA Referees Committee has confirmed the appointment of 84 officials from 36 countries to handle the men’s and women’s football tournaments at the London 2012 Olympics.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – The main stakeholders in European football have joined forces to tighten up the rules over contracts for professional players.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Four English Premier League teams are among the 10 most valuable clubs in world football according to the latest Forbes rich list, with Manchester United once again out on top for the eighth successive year.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Former Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam faces a nervous two months before discovering whether he has won his appeal against being banned for life for alleged bribery.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – Britain’s chances of winning an Olympic women’s football medal at London 2012 have suffered a disappointing blow with the news that experienced England skipper Faye White will miss the Games after announcing she is expecting her first child.
By David Gold
April 19 – Roberto Assis Moreira, the brother and agent of Brazilian star Ronaldinho, has been sentenced to five years and five months in prison for money laundering.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – David Beckham’s hopes of playing for Team GB as one of three overage players at the London 2012 Olympics have received a timely boost after he was named among the 80 players who have made the latest shortlist.
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – English Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has reiterated his support for goal-line technology in the wake of Juan Mata’s controversial goal for Chelsea in last Sunday’s (April 15) FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.
By David Gold
April 19 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is to supply medical equipment and administrative support accessories to its national associations.
This season is turning out to be one in which football has had to look hard at itself. The critical question: is the game capable of examining itself? And if so, would changing things make this a defining football season?
I am afraid I have grave doubts.
The reaction to Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba’s collapse at White Hart Lane showed that the game has a soul, but much else has happened which indicates that football has a lot to do,